Bearcat1

I know two of the programs I applied to are expecting to admit 8-10 students, hoping for incoming cohorts of 5-6.

I have told my family and close friends not to ask. This does not keep my neighbors or coworkers from asking, and one friend, instead of asking directly, has her husband periodically text my husband asking a general, "what's up?" which I know is her sneaky way of asking, so it's not really sneaky at all.

I think you could combine the first and third of those and have an amazing local/organic restaurant!

While I'm feeling pessimistic, I'm too depressed to make plans, and then I'll have an "I can do anything!" day and feel better. Maybe make other plans (but don't actually do anything) just so you have something to fall back on?

Ah, I used that trick in high school when I got a speeding ticket. I alluded to being pregnant, then assured her it was only a ticket. Did NOT work out as I'd planned. But I hope your conversation goes better than that did!

If you have other offers but really want to go to this program, you can play them against each other (like you would a job) and tell them program X offered you Y and see if they can match it, or at least come up. I know it's unethical for them to pull anything they've already offered, so asking never hurts. And a little later, when there's a possibility other admits have declined, there very well may be additional funding available.

I'm so sorry. I wish I had something super awesome to say that would make you feel better. My mom already knows, although I know there will be tears when (if) it actually happens. And she doesn't get it AT ALL so there's no hope of her being proud of me, sucking it up and putting on a brave face so I don't feel bad. So I kind of know where you're coming from, but the added stress doesn't help. Hang in there, friend!

Thank you! I'm feeling better about things at the moment. Probably won't last, but I had one day without being insane. Mostly. I think.

Now I'm panicking. Mine has said "Documents Pending" for weeks. The only thing missing is Proof of English, which I don't need because it's my first language. I'll be in the fetal position under my desk if anyone needs me.

I spoke to my POI there (and everywhere else) by phone. When we spoke, he told me he'd spent some time thinking about how we would work together and how he would guide my proposed project, and then laid it all out. He must have thought about it for DAYS, because it was thoughtful and amazing and detailed and I was so blown away that he would take that much time with someone who wasn't a student yet. I'm so impressed with the whole program. Do they consider direct applicants for the MA program if they don't take you for the PhD? I already have an MA, so it's PhD or bust for me, with all my apps.

Camille, did you take the TOEFL? I don't need it, but mine still says it's missing from my app. I wish. I'm saving every penny for a move there (or elsewhere) so there are no other trips in my near future, unfortunately. Are you going?

I hope so! I can make it through one more week before I really turn into a complete mess, so to hear something before that happens would be amazing!

Congratulations!!! That's such great news!!!!!

Nope. And there's always the dream of later, some super amazing professor who may or may not be at your program finding you through a paper and asking you to co-author something with them. (Unless this is just my dream...)

I've heard this one, too. That's when I explained that another POI told me approximately 50% of the applications are garbage. (Or something along those lines.)

I have seen it a million times in books, and I really thought it was an owl. When I Googled it today, I see that it does look like a cat. (Also, it never seemed strange to me that two men would be in a boat with an owl on a leash???) And your knowledge of American art is broader than mine, I can assure you!

I have my CV and interests. My MA thesis is also linked there, although I didn't do that myself, ProQuest did it. Or Academia.edu somehow checks ProQuest. I just recently got an email asking if the thesis was mine and if I'd like to link it. In terms of looking at it once someone has my application, it would be pointless because all of that stuff is in the app already. I think having your CV there is worthwhile, and listing your interests, so others with similar interests can find you? If you put your undergrad thesis you can always claim that topic, even if someone publishes on it later (this happened to a friend of mine). Or just an abstract if you're not comfortable with the whole thing?

I called someone out on this, actually. I gave them a direct quote of number of applicants and number of admissions from one of my POIs with whom I spoke just before Christmas. When I called them out, they said they thought I was exaggerating (which, in their defense, I often do). So I explained that these were actual numbers. I'm sure they still didn't fully grasp what's happening, but my crazy came out a bit and they have stopped telling me I'll definitely get in. So maybe that's what's happening across the board? Suspicions of exaggeration?

What?!?!? No, but now I have to look that up! A bearcat is an actual animal, also called a binturong (see adorable avatar). It has absolutely nothing to do with my art historical interests (although I might start telling people it's a reference to the painting you speak of). Edit: Just looked it up. I thought that was an owl! Upon closer inspection, I would have said cat. Bearcats look more like a giant raccoon than a bear or a cat.

Completely understandable; sorry to pry! But thanks for letting me know it's not one of mine. Good luck!!! What are you going to wear??!?! I'm going to spend the next week worrying about it for you so I don't have to worry about my own applications.

How many will they accept? Let's decide it's that number.

Congrats!!! Care to share which program? That's really great news!!!!!!!!

Obviously. The universe can't be blatant, so it cloaks its signs in the shadows of the mundane. Like credit scams.

That's good to know, for applications. Not so good in terms of hearing back about said applications. My application says "Documents Pending" because it shows that I need the proof of English proficiency. It's making me crazy, so I'm glad I can postpone this particular crazy until the end of next week. (WHO APPROVED HER BEING OUT OF THE OFFICE UNTIL NEXT WEEK??!??!)

It's a sign from the universe!!! Similar to how every other episode of the first six this season on The Layover have been in cities where I applied. (Please don't tell me this isn't real. It's the only thing getting me through the next week and a half.)